by
R.U.P.E. (Research Unit for Political Economy)
Published by Rajani X. Desai on behalf of Research Unit for Political Economy, under People's Research Trust (Regd.) at 18, 'Peter Marcel' Bldg., Plot 941, Prabhadevi, Opp. Prabhadevi Temple, New Prabhadevi Rd., Bombay 400025, India. Tel: 4220492
The current efforts of the Government and mass media to celebrate the 50th anniversary of India's 'independence' are faced with complete lack of enthusiasm on the part of the common people of the country. Popular disgust at the country's economic, political and social condition is at unprecedented levels. Why has a land so rich in natural, cultural and intellectual resources been reduced to such a state?Some would ascribe the blame merely to the character of the leaders who came after 1947. However, a proper inquiry should lead us to examine the exact nature of the political deal struck in 1947 whereby the Indian State came into existence, and further the events that led to this deal. The present condition of India has its roots in the fate of the freedom struggle.
This book traces the course of the Indian freedom movement, the heroic struggles of the common people of our country, and the cunning betrayal of those struggles by the leadership of the Indian National Congress. The respective roles of Gandhi, Nehru, Bhagat Singh, the Communist Party, and others are briefly described, as are most of the major popular agitations for independence. The perspective presented differs sharply with all the establishment views on the topic.
The first edition of this book appeared under the title Indian National Congress: How Indian? How National? It is intended for the ordinary reader.